Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced two bills to cut government regulation and deliver relief to North Carolinians impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The Disaster Assistance Fairness Act would provide relief to North Carolina homeowners who are still desperately trying to dig out from the storms by making it clear that debris removal from private roads is in the public interest and therefore eligible for reimbursement under the Stafford Act. Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC) introduced the House companion bill, H.R. 3777, which has 12 bipartisan cosponsors.
The Flexible Compliance for Emergencies and Natural Disasters (FinCEN) Act would help businesses in North Carolina who are currently facing operational challenges and have limited resources in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Senator Budd said in a statement:
“The scope of the devastation in Western North Carolina is unlike anything I have ever seen before. Folks from the mountains are resilient and tough, but they need their government to work quickly for them in their time of need. These two pieces of legislation will cut through red tape and get needed aid out the door. I will continue to work with my colleagues to get Congress to pass robust assistance that meets the moment.”
Statement from Dawn Bauman, Chief Strategy Officer, Community Associations Institute:
“Community associations are vital to the fabric of our communities, and ensuring they have access to federal disaster relief is critical. CAI applauds Senator Budd for his leadership in introducing the Senate companion to H.R. 3777. His commitment to supporting homeowners and strengthening disaster recovery efforts will make a meaningful difference for millions of Americans living in community associations nationwide.”
Additional background on Senator Budd’s Legislation:
Disaster Assistance Fairness Act
The bill would require the President to direct FEMA to remove debris from real estate owned by homeowners’ associations and condominiums when a state or local government determines the debris and wreckage constitute a threat to life, public health, or safety, or the economic recovery of the community. The bill would also clarify that FEMA should provide homeowners with financial assistance for the repair of “essential common elements,” such as roofs, heating and cooling equipment, stairwells, and plumbing or electricity.
The U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) requires businesses to submit Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reports to combat illicit financial activity. However, natural disasters like Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton have significantly disrupted the ability of businesses in affected areas to meet these deadlines. The FinCEN Act would address these challenges by providing an extension for businesses affected by federally declared disasters. Specifically, businesses in disaster-affected areas will not be required to submit BOI reports until January 1, 2026. The Treasury Secretary will determine eligibility based on location in a disaster-affected area, as declared under the Stafford Disaster Act.
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